Later in the week after my nightly training session, the Darkling appears.
"Can I walk with you?" he asks.
"Sure."
"Do you trust me to find the stag?"
"Why would you care what I think?"
"I don't know."
I was surprised when he pulls me to him and kisses me. I could have stayed like that forever. We heard someone walk up to us and we pulled away too quickly.
"You're needed in the war room," Ivan says, a disgusted look on his face.
"See you later," I say as I walk away to my room.
When I get there I shut the door behind me and sink down against it. I just had my first kiss and I don't know whether it was the Darkling's application powers or not, but I felt warm inside for just those few seconds.
•••
A week later it's the day of the Winter Fete and I've been practicing a ton, but my mind always wanders to the Darkling. I haven't seen him since the kiss and I'm worried he didn't like it.
Silly. He's probably kissed other girls before.
I go to my bed and there's a box with a very fancy black kefta with gold accents on it and the Darkling's symbol on the back. I put it on and there's a knock at my door.
"Come in!"
Genya walks in saying, "Now what am going to do with your hair?"
She sits me down at the vanity and starts to do my hair. She styles it in a large ponytail, curling it for more volume. Then she puts silver eyeshadow On and gives me a ring.
"Done. Take a look at yourself. You're stunning," Genya says to me.
That's when there's a knock at the door.
"Come in!"
David walks in and hands me gloves.
"The Darkling asked these be made for you to help you bend light into multiple spheres," he says.
"Thanks, but I'm good," I say splitting the light into two spheres.
"Oh. Okay."
"Bye David! See you later," Genya says.
We head to Palace and head to the ballroom doors.
"What if I mess up?" I ask Genya.
"Just signal to me and I'll jump on one of the tables and I'll lift my skirt."
I laugh. "Thanks. You're a great friend."